Press Release No. 15/2011 IG Metall Reaches Collective Bargaining Agreement for the East German Textile Industry

Frankfurt am Main – IG Metall and employers in the East German textile industry have reached a collective bargaining agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, wages and apprenticeship stipends will increase by 2.5 percent effective June 1, 2011, and by an additional 2.3 percent effective April 1, 2012. “This agreement ensures that employees in the industry receive a fair share of the economic recovery and provides quick planning certainty for both employees and companies,” said IG Metall Executive Board member Helga Schwitzer on Friday in Frankfurt.

Apprentice wages will also be increased by approximately 60 euros across all levels effective August 1, 2011. In addition, a commitment to hire apprentices for a period of twelve months was secured. “The industry needs young, well-trained skilled workers with fair pay and reasonable working conditions to ensure the long-term viability of companies. The above-average increase in apprenticeship wages and the commitment to hire trainees are an important step toward this goal. They make the industry more attractive,” said IG Metall negotiator Michael Jung.

In addition, the parties to the collective bargaining agreement agreed that the vacation pay will be increased disproportionately by 35 euros starting in 2011 and by another 35 euros starting in 2012. Furthermore, a working group will be established to address regulations for dealing with demographic change. The collective bargaining agreement has a term of 24 months and expires on March 31, 2013. The East German textile industry employs approximately 16,000 workers.